Thursday, 28 February 2019

A BOY (14) allegedly severely assaulted his sister (6) and
threw her into a river resulting in her drowning in Binga.

The boy, who was last seen with the now deceased on Tuesday
morning while they were on their way to school, is on the run.

He allegedly told family members that he had left his
sister at Gongo River, where she was bathing after she had messed herself due
to a running stomach but they searched for her in vain.

When family members went to the river on the second day,
the boy whose name has been withheld as he is a minor, fled when her body was
found.Matabeleland North police spokesperson Chief inspector Siphiwe Makonese
confirmed the incident.

She said investigations were underway. Chief Dobola said
sources within the family informed him about the juvenile’s hatred for his
sister who had recently relocated from Tsholotsho where their mother is now
married.

Last week, the juvenile is alleged to have seriously
assaulted his sister and she missed school for a week, accusing her of speaking
in Ndebele in a Tonga community.

“I’m told last week he allegedly beat up his sister but the
family concealed the matter. They nursed the girl at home and she did not
attend school the whole week. When she finally recovered this week and went to
school, this unfortunate incident then happened. I am told the two were among
three other children on their way to school when he dismissed the other
children and committed the crime,” said the chief.

While they were in a bush near Gongo River, Chief Dobola said,
the boy instructed the three other children to run to school and check if
lessons had started.

“They only returned later during the day and found him in
the area close to the river and he joined them home. Realising that she was
missing, the family embarked on a search which went on until other villagers
were engaged. He told them that he had last seen his sister bathing in the
river after having messed herself following a running stomach,” said Chief
Dobola.

The chief said at around 8PM, the family approached him and
reported that the minor was missing.

On the following day, they continued to search for her and
family members asked the boy to lead them since he was the last to have been
seen with her.

“The search continued early the next morning and this time,
they went to the other side of the river.

When small feet were spotted in the river, it is at that
time that people realised that the suspect had disappeared,” said the chief.

A report was made to the police who attended the scene. Chief Dobola said police informed him that the body was
bruised and it is suspected that the girl was severely beaten up before she was
drowned.

He said what pains him most is that family members
concealed the juvenile’s abusive behaviour.

The chief said had they reported the matter, the girl might
not have continued to suffer at the boy’s hands. Chronicle